RTKnet: TRI (Toxics Release Inventory)

PROTECTING ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

EPA Considers Requiring Reporting of Toxic Hydrogen Sulfide (U.S. EPA)

After a 16-year review, EPA is recommending that it begin requiring polluters to report their releases of hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide can be released from factory farms, wastewater treatment plants, oil and gas operations, and other human activities. The public may comment on the proposal here.

(01 Mar 2010)

Report Finds Underreporting of Toxic Emissions, Increase in Benzene from Refineries (Environmental Integrity Project)

The nonprofit Environmental Integrity Project used TRI data to identify an 8% increase in benzene emissions from refineries between 2007 and 2008. But the figures may be too low due to problematic underreporting to TRI.

(05 Feb 2010)

EPA Releases Analysis of 2008 TRI Data (U.S. EPA)

The EPA released its "National Analysis" of Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data. This is the earliest release and analysis of the data in the history of the TRI program. The "National Analysis" replaces what used to be known as the Public Data Release (PDR). Both the number of facilities reporting and the amount of releases declined in 2008.

(08 Dec 2009)

Lessons of Bhopal: 25 Years Later, U.S. Chemical Laws Need Strengthening (OMB Watch)

Dec. 3 marks the 25th anniversary of the most catastrophic industrial accident in history: the leak of poisonous gas from a pesticide plant in the Indian city of Bhopal. Twenty-five years after the tragedy, much progress has been made, but much remains to be done to provide a minimum level of protection against chemical releases.

(01 Dec 2009)

American Waters Still Toxic Dumping Ground (Environment Minnesota)

An analysis of TRI data shows industrial facilities dumped 232 million pounds of toxic chemicals into more than 1,900 American waterways in all 50 states during 2007. The report ranks the Ohio River first for toxic discharges, followed by the New River and the Mississippi River.

(21 Oct 2009)

EPA Launches Online Forum on Metal Mining and TRI (U.S. EPA)

EPA has opened a new public forum on the agency's blog to gather ideas for a new TRI reporting rule for metal mines. Comments will be received through November 25, 2009.

(06 Oct 2009)

2008 TRI Data Available - National Analysis Expected in December

The EPA has completed its "Early Release" of raw TRI data for 2008. With this latest update, the data set is complete. The agency plans to release its National Analysis of the data sometime in December 2009.

(06 Oct 2009)

New Contractor Takes Over EPA Data Processing

CGI Federal, Inc. has taken over running the EPA's Central Data Exchange (CDX), including the TRI Data Processing Center. The CDX is the entry point for environmental data exchanges to the EPA, allowing users to submit data online.

(22 Sep 2009)

EPA Pushing Data Out to the Public (OMB Watch)

Across a range of issues, the EPA is taking active steps to improve transparency. However, it is still too early to determine whether these information disclosures comprise an agency-wide commitment to openness and engagement with the public.

(15 Sep 2009)

More Monitoring, Lawsuits from School Air Quality Report (USA Today)

The USA Today reports on the fallout to date from its expose on the risks of toxic air pollution near schools. EPA and local officials expanded air monitoring around schools, and legal challenges continue.

(15 Sep 2009)